Buddhism was originated from India and has now spread so that there are Buddhists in nearly every country. Thailand:95% Cambodia:90% Myanmar:88% Bhutan:75% Srilanka: 70% China has 102,000,000 Buddhists
Description of Main Beliefs:
After death, one returns to early life in higher or law form of life according to his good or bad deeds(called reincarnation) and individual may require repeatedly
Faith centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality
Buddah is their only master
They take refuge in the Buddah, the Dhamma, and the Sangha
This world is not created and ruled by a God
Meditate to become enlightened
Description of Gods:
Some Buddhists believe in gods, some don't-believing in gods is not required in Buddhism, recommended against believing
Gods live a long time but are still mortal
Main Buddhists Gods:
Green Tara: She is the mother of all Buddahs and mother of all compassion
Medicine Buddah: The Buddah of healing
Maitreya: The future Buddah
Manjushri: The Budishava of Wisdom
Vajrashava: The Budishava of purification
Description of Sacred Writings:
Divided into the categories of canonical or non-canonical
The Sotras or Sutras are believed to be either literally or metamorphically, the actual words of the Buddah.
The tripitaka is the earliest collection of Buddhist teachings and the only text recognized as canonical by the Ravada Buddhist.
The Mahayan sutras is a sacred text
Tibetan book of the dead is the most well-known of the west
Written by a Tibetan monk
Describes in detail the stages of death from the tibetan point of view
Description of Practices: The 3 Trainings or Practice:
Sila:Virtue,good conduct,morality. This is based on two fundamental principals
The principal or equality:that all living things are equal
The principal of reciprocity:this is the golden rule in Christianity to do
Samadhi:Concentration,meditation,mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind;this helps us maintain good conduct.
Prajna:Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.
Description of Festivals:
Vesak or visakah Puja (Buddah Day)-Buddah's birthday celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddah. It's celebrated on the first full moon in May.
Elephant festival-The Buddah used the example of a wild elephant which when is caught, is harnessed to train. In the same way he said a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. This festival is held on the third Saturday in November.
Festival of the tooth-In Kandy, a great temple was built to house a relic of Buddah's tooth. The tooth can never be seen but once a year in August on the night of the full moon there is a special procession for it.
Symbols:
Eight spoked wheel-represents Buddah turning the wheel of truth or law.
Bodhi tree-represents the tree under which the Buddah recieved enlightment.
Foot prints-represents the physical presence of the enlightened one.
hi
Region:
Description of Main Beliefs:
- After death, one returns to early life in higher or law form of life according to his good or bad deeds(called reincarnation) and individual may require repeatedly
- Faith centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality
- Buddah is their only master
- They take refuge in the Buddah, the Dhamma, and the Sangha
- This world is not created and ruled by a God
- Meditate to become enlightened
Description of Gods:- Some Buddhists believe in gods, some don't-believing in gods is not required in Buddhism, recommended against believing
- Gods live a long time but are still mortal
Main Buddhists Gods:- Green Tara: She is the mother of all Buddahs and mother of all compassion
- Medicine Buddah: The Buddah of healing
- Maitreya: The future Buddah
- Manjushri: The Budishava of Wisdom
- Vajrashava: The Budishava of purification
Description of Sacred Writings:Description of Practices:
The 3 Trainings or Practice:
- Sila:Virtue,good conduct,morality. This is based on two fundamental principals
- The principal or equality:that all living things are equal
- The principal of reciprocity:this is the golden rule in Christianity to do
- Samadhi:Concentration,meditation,mental development. Developing one's mind is the path to wisdom which in turn leads to personal freedom. Mental development also strengthens and controls our mind;this helps us maintain good conduct.
- Prajna:Discernment, insight, wisdom, enlightenment. This is the real heart of Buddhism. Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.
Description of Festivals:- Vesak or visakah Puja (Buddah Day)-Buddah's birthday celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddah. It's celebrated on the first full moon in May.
- Elephant festival-The Buddah used the example of a wild elephant which when is caught, is harnessed to train. In the same way he said a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. This festival is held on the third Saturday in November.
- Festival of the tooth-In Kandy, a great temple was built to house a relic of Buddah's tooth. The tooth can never be seen but once a year in August on the night of the full moon there is a special procession for it.
Symbols:Christianity